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Generalizing, Stereotyping, Racism, Prejudice Goto Page: 1 2 3 [>] [»|]

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Aakiyana

PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:51 pm


We all know what what these terms mean. Sometimes I feel they get mixed up all too often, however.

Quote:
Generalize: To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.


Quote:
Stereotype: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.


Quote:
Racism: The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.


Quote:
Predjudice: 1a. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
b. A preconceived preference or idea.

2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions.

3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.


A while ago in the GD I saw someone say that everyone is racist. I beg to differ however. I believe that everyone generalizes everything which in turn leads to stereotyping, which in turn leads to prejudice and racism.

A lot of times people are surprised that I'm an African-American on here because people are used to the black stereotypes of black people talking like "gangstas." A lot of my own race are surprised when I open my mouth because I talk "white," or proper, imo.

I think what's wrong with the world is this way of thinking. People look at tv or listen to rap and listen to the stereotypes which cause a lot of hatred. True, a lot of stereotypes have come from some truth like any other generalization but I think that people should stop applying a generalization to a whole group of people.

Do you guys agree that generalizing eventually leads ro racism (or any other "-ism") and prejudice? Or do you believe that the world, especially the US, doesn't have to worry about prejudice or racism anymore and that a lot of races and minorities are just blowing things out of proportion?

EDIT: I also wanna discuss interracial relationships here, too. It seems that today, interracial relationships are way more accepted than way back when, but there are still a few who don't like the idea of mixing races. This isn't just a black-white thing either, I'd like to hear about all races and ethnicities.
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:22 pm


Racism is one of the worst things to happen to human kind. Let put it this way...

Do the white cats exclude the black cats because their fur is a different color? No. So why are we doing it?

Ms Rubee Knight


Saints Warrior

PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:47 am


I completley agree just the other day I left McDonalds when two caucasion women were walking out when a african-american man walked in they steered clear of him and looked away...
I go back to my dorm and ask my friend why they would do that, and he said"well with all the deaths its only genuine for people to be scared of african-americans because of OTHER people steryotyping and sprading false information"
Thats the kind of stuff that is people Inferring the completley wrong thing of someone, and all it does is make this, or any other countries development have more troubles...
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 12:23 pm


Oh great another one of these topics.

Look, get off it. My anscestors inslaved your anscestors. Oh woe is you. You should write a book. Oh wait? There's already millions of them.

Anybody who actually recognizes what is going on around them would relize that blacks are more rascist than whites. And I'll demonstrate. If I was to call you a ****** what would you think? I'd get cussed out and slaped. Now a black person goes up to another one "Yo ******, what's up?" and nothing is said, it's perfectly exceptable. And why are whites not allowed to say it to a black person? Because "the word has so much history to it" rolleyes *gag* I've got lists of examples but this is the most demonstrative.

Oh and here's another good one. Who's responsible for all black people's problems? The white men keepin' us down. It's not that they're to lazy to get off welfare and actually find a job or the fact that they kept opening their legs until they ended up with 10 children. No, it's the white men keepin' them down.

Also what about the sterotype that blacks aren't racist? Because they've just been through so much.

Yes, I do believe everyone is racist to some extent. And as far as the rap, if blacks don't want to be sterotyped by rap and tv and all that jazz then they can go peacefully march or some other crap. I agree that generalizing eventually leads to racism and prejudice. No, I don't agree with racism when it get to the extent of slavery or murder, but your not going to stop people from hating and being racist.

Also, your generalizing that everyone generalizes.

@Saints: It's not that they just had to go the other way? Or that they just didn't like those two black people in particular?

marshjazz


Aakiyana

PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:15 pm


One: This isn't one of those topics bashing racists or white or any other race so read before you judge me. Not once have I complained about racists or slavery or said, "Oh white people don't like me!" On the contrary I know that I'm well-liked by a lot of white people and other races and I myself have never had the misfortune to be hit by an attack of racism in real life (verbal or physical).

Two: Yes slavery was wrong and I'm not looking for any justifications in this thread about that or condemning it. I'm not looking for my 40 acres and a mule. My ancestors were a part of it, yes, and poo for them but thank goodness I don't have to go through it myself and that's it's stopped now. I'm not dwelling on the past.

Three: I never said that only white people could be racist. Anyone can be racist just like anyone can be homophobic or sexist. As for black people being more racist than whites, that I of course will disagree with.

If anyone called me a ****** I'd be pissed. I don't use the word in everyday language my damn self unless it's for a person I consider ignorant, that's what I've been taught. not all black people call each other "niggas," that's just yet another stereotype that makes people racists and people like you look down on us. A majority of the people I know hate the word and don't even want blacks saying it. The NAACP tried to symbolicly bury it.

Four: Did I ever once say that whites were responsible for blacks' problems? Not every black person is on welfare and not every one has 10 kids. How would you feel if I said you were gonna marry your cousin cuz you're a dumb redneck? Again with the stereotypes proving my point.

And it's human nature to generalize, I'm sorry, until you can show me someone who doesn't, that's what I believe. I don't believe everyone is racist to some extent because racism is such an ugly thing. I think because of the generalizations people believe that they're more wary, rather than racist of other people just because a lot of people are afraid of things that they don't understand. If you're not around a black person everyday and all you hear are stereotypes, of course you're going to think that he's some "gangsta" that sells drugs and gang-bangs and has kids from 20 different women, is on welfare, and complains about racism all day.
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:10 pm


The world we live in seriously makes me sick.People todayare so sterotypical, and i don't mean everyone, certain people here and there. One time while I was at modeling class this one girl was telling us how people thought she was Indian because she was so tan (she's Italian), her response to them would be "How could you think I was Indian, I don't smell like sh*t!" Seriously now, that seems immature to me. I know sometimes the food they eat doesn't smell all that wonderful, and it rubs off onto their clothes, but to automatically have that response is rediculous! I have friends who are Indian, and they don't smell at all.

Another thing: I'm African-American and I love all types of music. Hip-hop, rap, rock, pop, classical, whatever I like them. It depends on the song. But I absolutely hate when I listen to rock music, and I'm into the song and suddenly someone goes, "Ew, why do you listen to rock music, your black." Uh, hello, I don't give. The color of my skin has absolutely nothing to do with what music goes into my ears. Just cuz I'm black doesn't mean I'm ONLY allowed to listen to rap and hip-hop. People who say that just get me so pissed off!

NejiShikaItalover92


The Extra Syllable

PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:11 am


i hate all of them...but some just cant be helped....people will always judge....i judge about how a person carries themself...how they act and what not
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:00 pm


It's human nature to make generalizations and to stereotype. It's nature's nature, even. The white cat may not ostracize a black cat purely for their coat color, but he'd stay away from men if he had previously been abused by one. It's a form of self defense. One person cannot meet every other person in the world, so they just generalize that Joe Schmoe is a representation of whatever race/religon/culture/etc. he is from. You can't help but to do it, plain and simple. Don't even bother denying it, 'cause you're only lying to yourself. Even the most saintly of people can't fight instinct.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say everyone is racist or prejuidice. Those are some strong words there. What makes someone that extreme is acting on their generalizations. However, this does not make them an evil or bad person. Sure, it's not good to be racist. Sure, it's a very bad trait to have. Does that one thing destroy them as a person? Not at all. I have quite a few racist friends. I don't like what they say sometimes, and some of their jokes make me cringe, but I'm still their friend. Why? Because they aren't evil people. They're people who followed human nature, made some generalizations, and learned to expand on those generalizations from their families and culture.

People don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide to be racist or prejuidice. They're raised that way. Why on earth are you being so HATEFUL and PREJUIDICE against a group of people who didn't even choose to be the way they are? I know what you're thinking. "Gee, Kater, real smart. Those idiots can choose not to be racist, y'know." I've heard that arguement before. That's completely ridiculous. You can't suddenly wipe away a LIFETIME of memories, family get togethers, culture and thoughts. It doesn't worth that way. If people are /really/ racist, truthfully brought up to follow through with generalizations, thye really can't fight it. They'll still have those thoughts. It's the way they were raised.

Of course, they can try to not act on it. Among friends, however, things are said and done. And in the heat of the moment, even more hurtful things are said and done. Is it right? Of course not. Are they mean? They can be. Are they evil? No. Next time you think, "I hate racists and people who are prejuidice," just remember you're being no better than them by thinking such awful things about people you've never even met.

katersaur


marshjazz

PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:59 pm


I apologize Aakiana, that wasn't directed at you. That was directed at the direction the thread was turning. I just came in and read, and all I saw was this turning into a thread about how all white people sterotype all black people and all white people are racist and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to happen. I've seen many of them, and once a topic like this starts going in that direction it doesn't stop.

1. I wasn't meaning to judge you. Sorry.

2. Atleast your not dwelling on the past, it seems many are. Which is sad, because it really is their own fault. As most of the slaves came from the congo and other inside Africa places and the Europeans/Americans didn't go further than the coast.

3. So are you saying that whites are more racist than blacks? It was an example. I live in the getto and I'm scared to say the word, because I've seen fights started over it. Yet, hear it all the time, so long as they're friends the words "history" disappears.

4. I'd feel kinda weird seeing as how my neck is white and I'm a yankee. Other than that, I agree.

Well, it all depends on where you draw the line between racism and not racism. The main reason I say that people are all racist/sexist to a point, because most of us think we're better than everybody else, if it isn't your looks/brains you find some excuse of why your better sometimes gender, sometimes race. There is a complete dividing line between whites and blacks. Different culture, different style of parenting, etc. It's much more than just skin color.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:33 pm


@Katersaur: I am quite aware that racism is a learned behavior. A lot of my friends have grown up in households where their parents are always talking about how the white man wronged blacks and how they don't want us to rise above and all that jazz. I don't agree with it, and I make it a point to say that I don't think like that. Of course you are right when you say that everyone judges because I do judge, I just try to be very open to any and all races.

I actually don't hate racists unless they go out of their way to be violent. I find racism to be a sad thing especially since science is pointing out that we all came from pretty much the same place, just groups of people have evolved at different rates. Plus, I feel that soon, the world's going to be full of mixes of ethnicities and races, so why is it such a big deal to the point where you hate a certain type of people because of their skin color?


@marshjazz: I accept the apology and I'm sorry if I seemed like a b***h for going off.

Also, I didn't mean to make it seem like whites are more racist than blacks. What I actually meant was that I don't think any one race is more racist than another, because every race has that one group of people who are racist or prejudiced.

And when I think racism, I think in terms of a white (or black, whoever) person seeing a person of a different color and just assuimg every bad stereotype against them and turning their nose up at them and saying things like "GTFO of my country! You don't belong here! I want to live in a seperate neighborhood from them because they'll corrupt my kids, and rape my wife, and try to kill me." Just out and out hatred. I can see if there was a bias, because me being black, of course I'm going to be more sided a black person because I feel a connection with them.

Aakiyana


marshjazz

PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:29 pm


Oh, I probably seemed like a b***h saying what I said earlier. It's no big deal.

Ah well. I think that in some aspects blacks are more racist than whites but whites can be just as racist. I mean, in my opinion, the act of thinking someone is racist in a way makes that person racist. It's really difficult to explain. From my experience, I've seen more blacks behave more racist than whites, but that is just my experience. I've seen a white person get cussed out (about "we have freedom now, I'm not your slave" crap.) for telling a black person to move to the back of the line and not cut. It wasn't said politely, but it wasn't polite to skip in line either. I've heard of white people being racist too. Not letting a sales rep into their house because he was black. By far however, what I've seen black people do for the stupidist reasons over the issue of "race" just makes them seem more racist. What do your ansestors have to do with you moving to the back of the line, type of thing.

Well, I seperate. Those who fall into the sterotype and those who don't. When I see a black person coming at me with his pants down to his ankles, gold and silver teeth. He falls into the sterotype. When I see a black person with glasses and books, they don't. Yeah, the fact that the man is black, makes him scarier to me. Cause if it's a white person, I'll either point and laugh or walk away and laugh.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:44 pm


Now that situation I totally understand, and it truly embarasses me when I see a person acting like that because I can just imagine how it makes black people look. Also I understand you separating people that fall into the stereotypical "gangster" and people that don't. I myself hate being around anyone regardless of race that tries to be "gangster."

What I don't like is that some people don't separate the ones that fit the stereotype from the ones that don't. It bugs me when people come up to me and tries go out of their way to seem non-racist because they think at the drop of a hat me or my friends are going to lash out and call them racists or that we're going to mug them or we're trying hard to fit in and "act white," or when people are extra pushy with me because they think I'm some type of angry, ghetto, criminal. I get s**t from both races about this, and I feel like I'm just trying to be me, to me race doesn't influence personailty to the point where it's acting "black" or acting "white." Yes it is true that they're might be a few cutural differences, but I don't think it's so far as to say that there's a definate way to act white or act black.

Aakiyana


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:35 am


I generalize, I fall into stereotypes, but I'm only human. Alot of times I do this not realising it. But racism is simply beleiving you better than someone of a different race. So don't come to me saying that your only a 'little' racist. Trust me, I've heard it before. If you think you're superior than someone, even by the slightest bit, just because of their race, gender, religion, even if they're from another country, that makes them superior to you.

If you wanna say you've had racist moments, I'll except that. In other words, for a moment you thought you were better, due to a weak point, like someone giving you a lecture on how they're better, it's not a big deal, it happens. You forget that there is much more to it than black violence in New York, or China poisening toys (Which I think is an accident). But than you remember the bigger picture. It's happened to me, it'll happen again, but truly, it makes me stronger to fight it.

And the white cat black cat thing is good. You have no choice how you were born. And the ****** thing. Some people would react worse if a white person were to say it than a black person. If they're black, that makes them 'niggers' too. But I doubt too many people enjoy it said by either race.

I actually have a friend who's part native. Once at camp, I gave an answer for a question and said indian and she spazed. I didn't know until then that some nativess take it as an insult. I'm part indian, and I call myself indian all the time. I don't mean it as an insult, It's just the word I grew up with, and I'm not changing my vocab now, but I have been rying to use it much less.
PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:47 am


Well, I do it completely by apperance. I don't like gangsters either. They're annoying and stupid.

Well, the different culture does have alot to do with it. I mean when I did something wrong when I was young, I was usually told "that's a no, no" Then later in life told stories about the trouble I got into when I was 3 and 4. Now when I walk into Walmart and see a balck mother with her 3 or 4 year old, it's just "no" to everything. "Do that one more time and you'll regret it" type of thing. Where as when I was younger it would have just been, "no-no, stay by mommy" The way that different races treat their young, the interactions we have as young children are everything. When we start off so different we end up different and differences make the world interesting, but they keep us apart as well. It seems like the majority of black people I have to put up with are annoying. What I've also noticed, is that by moving from my basically all white town to the getto is that by moving to the getto only made me be more racist in a way. Before when a black person came up to me I was like "hi" and now I just look down and try to ignore them and usually walk away. When I lived there I heard of maybe one murder/rape a month. Here, I hear it on the news about 3 a day. Now, I'm not saying that it is only blacks doing it, just that when I lived up there, the cops didn't do a 30 day clean up of an area of the town (which I go through twice a day to get to school) and find 3 or 4 whore houses about 10 crack houses and aresting about 75 people. That didn't happen. It seems that more blacks are in low income and seems like future generations are only going to end up in the same place.

Also, to make this clear I have a different definition of racist than what you have.
Racist - to see someone as different than oneself based on the idea that they are a different race.

marshjazz


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:51 am


My mom said yes to everything. Now she's says no to everything. It's so confusing.
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